You see it everywhere. Hanging off Dior bags in Bangkok, clipped to backpacks in NYC, and dominating every "What's in my bag" video on TikTok. Labubu, the mischievous, sharp-toothed forest elf from Kasing Lung’s "The Monsters" universe, has transcended being just a toy. It’s a cultural phenomenon. But with that fame comes a massive, slightly annoying problem: the market is absolutely flooded with bootlegs. Honestly, some of these fakes are so good they’d fool even a seasoned collector at first glance.
If you’ve just spent a small fortune on a "The Monsters - Have a Seat" vinyl plush or a "Macaron" charm from a reseller, the anxiety is real. Did you get the genuine article, or did you just pay $100 for a $5 knockoff? It’s gut-wrenching. Knowing how to tell if Labubu is real or fake isn't just about protecting your wallet; it’s about the quality and the soul of the piece. Real Pop Mart items have a specific weight, a certain "squish," and very particular security features that counterfeiters almost always mess up.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. We aren't just looking at the fur. We’re looking at the DNA of the toy.
The Secret Language of the QR Code
Pop Mart isn't stupid. They know people are out here cloning their most profitable IP. Because of this, most modern Labubu releases come with a dual-layered security system. This is the first place you should look.
On the side or bottom of the box, you’ll find a scratch-off coating. Underneath that silver gunk is a QR code. Now, here is where people get tripped up. Scammers have started making fake verification websites. You scan the code, it takes you to a site that looks like Pop Mart, and it says "Authentic!" But it’s a lie.
Always check the URL. A genuine Labubu will lead you to the official popmart.com domain. If the URL looks weird—think popmart-verify.net or some random string of numbers—you’re holding a fake. Also, most authentic codes can only be scanned a few times before the system flags it. If you scan it and it says it's been checked 500 times already? Yeah, that’s a cloned code printed on a thousand fake boxes.
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How to Tell if Labubu is Real or Fake by the Face and Fur
The face is where the "soul" of Labubu lives. Kasing Lung designed this character with a very specific, slightly chaotic energy. Fake Labubus often look... well, depressed. Or high.
The Eyes and Teeth
Look at the eyes. On a real Labubu, the eyes are perfectly circular, deeply set, and have a glossy, high-quality finish. Fakes often have flatter eyes or, worse, eyes that are slightly misaligned, giving the monster a wall-eyed look. Then there are the teeth. Labubu is famous for those jagged pearly whites. In an authentic piece, the teeth are sharp, distinct, and cleanly painted. In fakes, the paint often bleeds onto the "gums," or the teeth look rounded and dull, like they’ve been sanded down.
The Fur Texture
This is a big one. Touch it. Seriously.
Authentic Labubu Macaron charms or "Have a Seat" plushes use a specific synthetic fiber that feels soft but has a bit of "spring" to it. It doesn't shed easily. Fake ones often use cheaper, "thirstier" fabric. If the fur feels scratchy, or if you pull slightly and a clump of hair comes out in your hand, you’ve got a problem. The color is also a dead giveaway. Real Labubus have nuanced, vibrant tones. Fakes often look a bit "off"—either too neon or too muddy because the counterfeiters aren't using the same dye lots.
The "Feet" Don't Lie
Flip your Labubu over. Look at the bottom of the feet.
On a genuine Pop Mart product, the branding is embossed with extreme precision. You’ll see "© Kasing Lung," "Pop Mart," and sometimes a batch code. The text should be crisp. If the lettering looks blurry, shallow, or if the font looks slightly "thin," it’s likely a fake.
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There’s also the matter of the "beans." Many Labubu plushes have small weighted beads in their feet or bottom to help them sit upright. In authentic ones, these are distributed evenly. Fakes often skip the weights entirely or use cheap stuffing that makes the figure feel light and flimsy. A real Labubu has a satisfying heft to it. It feels like a premium product, not a carnival prize.
The Box Anatomy
Sometimes you can tell the toy is a fake before you even open it. The box is the first line of defense. Pop Mart uses high-quality cardstock with a matte finish and often incorporates spot-UV (glossy bits) on the character art.
- The Logo: Look at the Pop Mart logo. Is the yellow the right shade? Scammers often get the "Pop Mart Yellow" wrong—it’s either too orange or too pale.
- The Print Quality: High-resolution printing is expensive. Counterfeit boxes often have "halftone" dots visible to the naked eye, or the text looks a bit fuzzy.
- The Inner Tray: Real Labubus are usually cradled in a plastic insert that fits them perfectly. If the toy is just rattling around in a plastic bag inside the box, or if the plastic tray is brittle and thin like a cheap cookie container, be suspicious.
Why the "Deal of a Lifetime" is Usually a Scam
I get it. You’re on a marketplace app, and you see a Labubu Fall in Wild vinyl for $40 when the market rate is $200. You want to believe. You tell yourself maybe the seller just doesn't know what they have.
They know.
The Labubu market is too hot for "accidental" bargains. If the price is too good to be true, it’s 100% a fake. These things are essentially currency in the toy collecting world. Nobody is giving them away.
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Also, pay attention to the seller's location and stock. If a random shop has "999+ units available" of a sold-out, limited edition Labubu, they are selling mass-produced knockoffs from a factory that has nothing to do with Pop Mart.
The Smell Test (Yes, Really)
This sounds weird, but sniff your Labubu.
Authentic vinyl toys have a very faint, neutral plastic smell, or sometimes no smell at all. High-end factories have to follow strict safety standards regarding VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Fakes? They often stink.
If you open that box and get hit with a strong, chemical, "industrial glue" or "burnt rubber" scent, put it back. That’s the smell of cheap materials and a lack of safety regulations. You don't want that sitting on your nightstand, and you definitely don't want kids playing with it.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
To avoid the headache entirely, follow these rules:
- Buy from Authorized Retailers: Pop Mart’s official stores, their RoboShops, or reputable partners like Mindzai or StrangeCat Toys.
- Verify the Stitching: On plush versions, look at the seams. Real Labubus have tight, almost invisible stitching. Fakes often have loose threads or visible "laddering" where the fabric meets.
- Check the Card: Most Labubus come with a character card. The card should be thick, high-quality cardstock with vibrant colors. If the card feels like a thin business card you got from a local plumber, it’s a fake.
- Join the Community: Groups on Facebook or Reddit are great for "LC" (Legit Checks). Post clear photos of the feet, the box, and the face. The experts there can spot a fake "Zimomo" or Labubu from a mile away.
The Labubu craze isn't slowing down anytime soon. As long as people are willing to pay a premium for these toothy monsters, fakes will exist. Stay sharp, trust your gut, and remember that quality always has a signature. If it feels "off," it probably is.
Check the hologram. Feel the fur. Verify the URL. Don't let a scammer ruin the joy of the hunt.
Next Steps for Collectors:
Go grab your Labubu right now and look at the stitching behind the ears. On authentic "Have a Seat" plushes, there is a specific reinforced stitch pattern where the ears join the head that fakes almost always skip. If the ears feel like they are barely hanging on by a single thread, you might want to cross-reference that QR code one more time on the official Pop Mart app. Only use the official app’s scanner to be certain the site isn't a spoof.